Univeg banana ripening

European fresh produce giant Univeg has extended its lease agreement on a major handling facility in the Netherlands.

As a result, the company will occupy the centre, located in Waddinxveen in southern Holland, until 2027.

Situated close to the Port of Rotterdam, the 41,140m3 facility is leased from Point Park Properties and is seen as one of the most important parts of Univeg's European service centre network.

The building is used to handle, store, ripen and pack Dutch and imported fresh produce for distribution to customers throughout Europe.

"This lease extension agreement clearly demonstrates our confidence in the continuation as long lasting supplier and supports our customer relationships, which Univeg is nurturing”, said Martin de Vries, managing director of Univeg Trade Benelux.

"It also underlines the importance to operate state-of-the-art facilities in today’s produce industries. Seamless cold chains, flexible packing operations and – opened this year – a ripening facility for subtropicals are key instruments to service our customers."

He added: "It is also a motivating factor for our employees, who remain the greatest asset of a fresh produce business."